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Russia welcomes NSG waiver for India

MOSCOW: Russia has welcomed the Nuclear Suppliers Group’s waiver for India and voiced confidence that it would guarantee against diversion of imported nuclear technologies for military uses.

“Russia was among those who initiated this decision,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, noting that the NSG unanimously lifted all restrictions on international cooperation with India in the nuclear field.

“We are convinced that the exemption made for India reflects Delhi’s impeccable record in the non-proliferation sphere and will guarantee the peaceful uses of nuclear exports to India,” the Russian statement said.

The waiver opens the way for the implementation of a preliminary agreement India signed with Russia earlier this year for the construction of four additional reactors at Kudankulam.

Meanwhile, a Russian expert said the waiver would push India closer towards the United States.

“India is clearly drifting towards the U.S. We [Russia] may have tactical gains, but the strategic outlook for us is dim,” said analyst Dmitry Yevstafiev of the PIR-Centre think tank.